Americans are sending mixed signals on immigration policy, with strong support for deportation of criminal offenders but growing skepticism of the Trump administration’s broader enforcement approach, according to recent polling data.
A new White House-cited poll reveals that 73% of Americans believe entering the U.S. without permission constitutes breaking the law, while 61% support deporting those who have entered illegally. The same survey found 58% reject defunding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with 54% supporting the agency’s enforcement of immigration laws.
The data paints a picture of public opinion that the administration is eager to highlight amid criticism of its hardline policies. A second poll referenced by the White House indicates 73% of respondents believe criminal immigrants should be deported, and 67% want state and local officials to cooperate with federal authorities on deportations.
“The president can feel, generally, that his policies at the border have been largely supported by a majority of Americans. But what he’s doing inside the border seems to be not working,” Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt told Politico, highlighting the distinction between border security and interior enforcement that appears to be driving public opinion.
Approval Ratings Tell Different Story
Despite apparent support for specific enforcement measures, Trump’s overall immigration approach is struggling to win broad approval. A Reuters/Ipsos poll shows the President’s approval on immigration stands at just 39%, with 53% disapproving. Perhaps more concerning for the administration, 58% of respondents believe federal immigration agents have “gone too far” in their enforcement efforts.
University of Minnesota public affairs professor Larry Jacobs didn’t mince words about these findings. “The approval for Donald Trump on an issue that worked for him, immigration, is down and going further down,” he noted to Fox News Digital.
What’s behind this apparent contradiction? Americans seem to support tough enforcement against criminal offenders while simultaneously growing uncomfortable with the administration’s broader approach to immigration enforcement. The disconnect may explain why the White House has recently emphasized criminal deportations in its messaging.
Politico reports that Trump’s immigration approval rating sits at 39%, having fallen from earlier levels. The decline appears linked to concerns about interior enforcement rather than border security measures, which have traditionally enjoyed stronger public support.
Broader Approval Challenges
The immigration numbers reflect a broader trend in the President’s approval ratings. A Pew Research Center survey indicates Trump’s overall approval has dipped to 37%, down from 40% previously. More troubling for the administration, only 27% of Americans now say they support all or most of his policies, a significant drop from the 35% who expressed such support earlier.
These numbers suggest the administration faces a delicate balancing act: maintaining support from those who favor strict immigration enforcement while addressing concerns from the majority who believe the current approach has become too severe.
For now, the White House continues to emphasize the strong public support for deporting criminal offenders and maintaining cooperation between local and federal authorities. But as the 2026 midterms approach, the question remains whether targeted messaging on criminal deportations will be enough to overcome broader concerns about the administration’s immigration agenda.
